News for
Isaac Asimov More at IMDbPro »

2009 | 2008 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003

1-20 of 48 articles from 2009   « Prev | Next »

---

Stephenie Meyer biography is a comprehensive and enjoyable read for Twilight fans (review)

18 June 2009 1:57 AM, PDT | From Twilight Examiner | See recent Twilight Examiner news

If there was ever any doubt that an entire book could be written about Stephenie Meyer’s rise to success (from stay-at-home mom to inspiration for forthcoming blockbuster hit The Twilight Saga: New Moon - starring Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart, and Taylor Lautner), let it be forever put to rest. Lisa Rondinelli Albert’s biography of Stephenie Meyer, author of the Twilight series and The Host, is a fluid and comprehensive presentation of that very story. Stephenie Meyer: Author of the Twilight Saga is part of Enslow Publishers' Authors Teens Love series (within which Albert has also penned a biography of Lois Lowry, and others have written about anyone from Roald Dahl to Isaac Asimov). The book is thorough, well-paced, and unendingly interesting. Beginning with Meyer’s early days, Albert traces the arduous and prolific

thetwilightexaminer

Permalink | Report a problem

---

Game Developers Talk Making Smarter Bad Guys

28 May 2009 2:00 PM, PDT | From MTV Multiplayer | See recent MTV Multiplayer news

Kotaku is running an interesting series on Robots in Gaming this week, and one of the posts dealt with the three laws governing artificial intelligence, as laid out by Isaac Asimov in his series of very nerdy but very enjoyable books. They are as follows:

1) A robot may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm.

2) A robot must obey orders given to it by human beings, except where such orders would conflict with the First Law.

3) A robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Law.

The most prolific AI designers of our time are, of course, video game designers, so Kotaku asked a few of them if they had their own laws for creating video game AI. My favorite answer came from Todd Howard of Bethesda Studios:

“I’ll

(more)

Russ Frushtick

Permalink | Report a problem

---

‘State of Play’ Director to Explore Asimov’s ‘End of Eternity’

27 April 2009 10:39 AM, PDT | From FilmSchoolRejects.com | See recent FilmSchoolRejects news

While I can't say I was the world' biggest fan of State of Play (in fact I may have given it the lowest grade it got), I am a fan of Kevin Macdonald, especially when he's giving us compelling characters in tense situations. Touching the Void is fantastic, and there's few who would disagree that The Last King of Scotland wasn't brilliant from start to finish. Now, it looks like Macdonald will get another chance to create something brilliant even though he'll be playing with fire. According to Variety, the director will work with New Regency to direct an adaptation of one of Isaac Asimov's best works - "The End of Eternity." Stepping away from robots for a bit, Asimov wrote the sci-fi mystery revolving around an organization called Eternity - a group that stood outside of time and had the option of moving between time and space to change history. It

(more)

Cole Abaius

Permalink | Report a problem

---

Multiple Personality Disorder Report

24 April 2009 10:40 AM, PDT | From QuietEarth.us | See recent QuietEarth news

[Editor's Note: Multiple Personality Disorder Reports are news blasts to let you know about the stuff that didn't make it to the news page but still had us talking behind the scenes]

#1: Paramount to finally release Carriers!

Àlex Pastor and David Pastor's Carriers is finally getting a theatrical release by Paramount Vantage on September 4, 2009. The great looking plague flick stars Lou Taylor Pucci, Chris Pine, Piper Perabo and Emily VanCamp. No doubt their decision to hold the film back has something to do with capitalizing on the Chris Pine buzz that will be around from Star Trek. Smart really. [via: Bloody-Disgusting]

#2: Kevin Macdonald takes on Romans and Asimov's "Eternity"

Kevin Macdonald has made a deal with New Regency to develop and direct "The End of Eternity" by Isaac Asimov. The "futuristic tale concerns a ruling class called Eternity whose members can manipulate time and alter history."

The State of Play director is also making "Eagle of the Ninth," a Roman military drama for Focus Features. [via: Variety]

#3: Statham ain't no Bronson but he will be The Mechanic

The 1972 hitman flick is a

(more)

Permalink | Report a problem

---

Isaac Asimov's End of Eternity Hires Director

23 April 2009 12:30 PM, PDT | From WorstPreviews.com | See recent Worst Previews news

Kevin Macdonald has made a deal with New Regency to develop and direct "The End of Eternity," the 1955 Isaac Asimov novel. The studio acquired "Eternity" late in the fall. The novel is a futuristic tale and concerns a ruling class called Eternity whose members can manipulate time and alter history. Macdonald previously won an Oscar for his 1999 documentary "One Day in September," about Palestinian terrorists holding Israeli athletes hostage at the 1972 Summer Olympic Games in Munich. He went on to helm "The Last King of Scotland" and "State of Play."

Permalink | Report a problem

---

Kevin Macdonald to Direct Isaac Asimov’s The End of Eternity

23 April 2009 9:16 AM, PDT | From FilmJunk | See recent FilmJunk news

Looks like another one of Isaac Asimov's books is headed to the big screen, and thankfully Roland Emmerich is not involved (see previous announcement [1] about Foundation). This time it is Kevin Macdonald (Touching the Void, The Last King of Scotland, State of Play) who has signed on to direct Asimov's 1955 novel The End of Eternity for New Regency. In the book, a group of elite humans called the Eternals have been recruited from different parts of history to oversee the development of humanity by traveling back and forth through time. However, one of these Eternals eventually falls in love with a non-Eternal woman, which throws everything into disarray. It sounds like the story has a very intriguing yet complicated way of looking at time travel, and I am guessing it will likely have to be dumbed down somewhat for the big screen. Fortunately Kevin Macdonald does have a knack

(more)

Sean

Permalink | Report a problem

---

State Of Play Director Will Time Travel

23 April 2009 9:07 AM, PDT | From cinemablend.com | See recent Cinema Blend news

There was all kinds of panicking and hand-waving on Monday morning, when State of Play failed to overtake 17 Again at the box office-- even though there was absolutely no way that was going to happen. But I'm glad to see that State of Play director Kevin MacDonald isn't being blamed for the fact that adults found better things to do that weekend, and he's been given another directing job that might appeal to more than just grown-ups with love for newspapers. According to Variety, Macdonald will be adapting Isaac Asimov's novel The End of Eternity, about a futuristic organization staffed by people who travel throughout time in order to minimize human suffering. Macdonald will make the film with New Regency production company.

Permalink | Report a problem

---

Kevin Macdonald Here For 'Eternity'

23 April 2009 | From ioncinema | See recent ioncinema news

- With Hollywood fresh out of ideas for tentpole films in the sci-fi genre (the franchise re-boot of Star Trek is a see case in point) the people that run the Isaac Asimov estate seeing plenty of golden ops to bring the grandfather of sci-fi writing into the feature film realm. After former new line execs Bob Shaye and Michael Lynne winning bid for Foundation, now New Regency is looking to manipulate the future by bringing helmer Kevin MacDonald on board after he completes his next project (Eagle of the Ninth) for Focus Features. The rights for The End of Eternity were floating around Hollywood a bit earlier in the decade, and it would suit a 20th Century Fox as a summer pic down the line. The Asimov novel is a futuristic tale in which humanity is controlled by a ruling class called Eternity, member of which can manipulate time

(more)

Permalink | Report a problem

---

Kevin Macdonald to direct "The End of Eternity"

23 April 2009 | From Movie Jungle | See recent Movie Jungle news

Kevin Macdonald, helmer of the critically acclaimed recent opener "State of Play" as well as the Oscar®-winning "The Last King of Scotland," will direct "The End of Eternity" for New Regency.   Based on the 1955 novel by Isaac Asimov and set in the future, the story follows a ruling class called Eternity. All those who are members have the ability to manipulate time and change history.   Eli Kirschner is executive producing.   Macdonald helmed "State of Play" opened on April 17th with $14 million in second place behind "17 Again." The film stars Russell Crowe, Ben Affleck, Rachel McAdams, Helen Mirren, Jason Bateman, Robin Wright Penn and Jeff Daniels.      

Permalink | Report a problem

---

Macdonald eyes sci-fi film 'Eternity'

23 April 2009 4:42 AM, PDT | From Digitalspy | See recent digitalspy news

State Of Play director Kevin Macdonald has signed up to develop and direct an adaptation of Isaac Asimov's novel The End Of Eternity. Originally published in 1955, the book concerns an organisation made up of Eternals, people recruited from different eras who travel through time to alter and preserve human history. New Regency is financing the project, with Vince Gerardis (Jumper) producing, says Variety. Other (more)

By Simon Reynolds

Permalink | Report a problem

---

Casting Quickie: Diaz, Giamatti, Macdonald, Banks and Cohen

23 April 2009 3:06 AM, PDT | From Rope of Silicon | See recent Rope Of Silicon news

A few throwaway casting notes were include in today's trade pages at Variety and The Hollywood Reporter, but the names are big enough they deserve some mention. First off, Elizabeth Banks will star in the DreamWorks comedy Forever 21 written by Mike Culbert and Mike Pellettieri with a super secret plot that is being kept under wraps. Next, State of Play helmer Kevin Macdonald has been brought aboard to develop and direct The End of Eternity for New Regency based on the futuristic 1955 Isaac Asimov novel concerning a ruling class called Eternity whose members can manipulate time and alter history. Macdonald will direct The Eagle of the Ninth for Focus Features first. Then we receive word Paul Giamatti will topline the indie drama Barney's Version based on Mordecai Richler's final novel in which the story's title character has led a reckless life highlighted by three marriages, two children and being

(more)

Brad Brevet

Permalink | Report a problem

---

Kevin Macdonald Sees End Of Eternity

23 April 2009 12:51 AM, PDT | From EmpireOnline | See recent EmpireOnline news

State of Play comes out tomorrow, but director Kevin Macdonald has not only lined up his next film, an adaptation of Rosemary Sutcliffe's Eagle of the Ninth, but he's got another one in place to follow that, with the news that he's set to adapt Isaac Asimov's The End of Eternity.The story, one of Asimov's best, concerns a city called Eternity, which exists outside of time, and whose citizens (called Eternals) travel into the timestream to meddle with and 'correct' human history. One of them, Andrew Harlan, falls in love with a woman outside Eternity and finds himself in conflict with Eternity's leaders. And then come the paradoxes and the brain twisting and a bit of meddling in 20th century history.There's no word yet on how far away this is, but we look forward to seeing Macdonald conquer yet another movie genre.

Permalink | Report a problem

---

Kevin Macdonald to direct "The End of Eternity"

23 April 2009 12:32 AM, PDT | From Movie Jungle | See recent Movie Jungle news

Kevin Macdonald, helmer of the critically acclaimed recent opener "State of Play" as well as the Oscar®-winning "The Last King of Scotland," will direct "The End of Eternity" for New Regency. Based on the 1955 novel by Isaac Asimov and set in the future, the story follows a ruling class called Eternity. All those who are members have the ability to manipulate time and change history. Eli Kirschner is executive producing. Macdonald helmed "State of Play" opened on April 17th with $14 million...

Permalink | Report a problem

---

Kevin Macdonald to direct "The End of Eternity"

23 April 2009 12:32 AM, PDT | From Movie Jungle | See recent Movie Jungle news

Kevin Macdonald, helmer of the critically acclaimed recent opener "State of Play" as well as the Oscar®-winning "The Last King of Scotland," will direct "The End of Eternity" for New Regency. Based on the 1955 novel by Isaac Asimov and set in the future, the story follows a ruling class called Eternity. All those who are members have the ability to manipulate time and change history. Eli Kirschner is executive producing. Macdonald helmed "State of Play" opened on April 17th with $14 million...

Permalink | Report a problem

---

State of Play Helmer Finds Eternity

22 April 2009 10:27 PM, PDT | From TheMovingPicture.net | See recent TheMovingPicture news

Kevin Macdonald, director of The Last King of Scotland and most recently the Russell Crowe thriller State of Play, has signed on to direct Kevin Macdonald The End of Eternity, which is based on the 1955 Isaac Asimov novel of the same name. The Asimov novel is a futuristic tale in which humanity is controlled by a ruling class called Eternity, a member of which can manipulate time to alter history and prevent disasters or wipe out undesirables. One of the time cops flirts with disaster when he breaks the cardinal Eternity rule and falls in love with a woman from another time period. The film will be produced by Vince Gerardis (Jumper). The project was most recently set up at Paramount with Ridley Scott and Tom Cruise but never got out of development hell. New Regency acquired the rights last fall. Before Eternity, Macdonald will direct the Roman military drama The Eagle of the Ninth.

(more)

James Cook

Permalink | Report a problem

---

Daily news dose: Two more join 'Iron Man 2;' Kevin Macdonald to direct 'Eternity'

22 April 2009 10:04 PM, PDT | From screeninglog.com | See recent screeninglog news

Here's your dose of film news for April 23, 2009:

• Kate Mara ("Shooter") and Clark Gregg ("Spartan") are the latest to join Jon Favreau's upcoming sequel "Iron Man 2," which is currently shooting. Gregg will return to reprise his role as S.H.I.E.L.D.'s Agent Phil Coulson. No details have been released regarding Mara's role. (The Hollywood Reporter)

• Kevin Macdonald, who last directed the intriguing thriller "State of Play," is set to direct "The End of Eternity" for New Regency. According to Variety, the film is based on the 1955 Isaac Asimov novel. According to the trade, "Futuristic tale concerns a ruling class called Eternity whose members can manipulate time and alter history." Macdonald also directed "The Last King of Scotland."

• Mark Mylod ("Ali G Indahouse") will direct "What's Your Number?," a comedy starring Anna Faris. The film was previously titled "20 Times a Lady," and the plot

(more)

Franck Tabouring

Permalink | Report a problem

---

Asimov’s The End of Eternity Headed to Big Screen

22 April 2009 9:13 PM, PDT | From SciFiCool.com | See recent SciFiCool.com news

Variety has news that Isaac Asimov’s 1955 novel “The End of Eternity” is headed for the big screen courtesy of director Kevin Macdonald, who last directed the political thriller “State of Play” and before that, the award-winning “The Last King of Scotland”. Macdonald will adapt and direct the novel for New Regency, but not before he finishes up his Roman drama “Eagle of the Ninth”. So what’s “The End of Eternity” about? Wiki to the rescue: The Eternity of the title is an organization and a place which exists outside time. It is staffed by humans (usually male) called Eternals who are recruited from different eras of human history commencing with the twenty-seventh century. The Eternals are capable of traveling “upwhen” and “downwhen” within Eternity and entering the conventional temporal world at almost any point of their choice, apart from a section of the far future which they cannot enter.

(more)

Nix

Permalink | Report a problem

---

What is Next for State of Play Director Kevin Macdonald?

22 April 2009 8:50 PM, PDT | From firstshowing.net | See recent FirstShowing.net news

Those of you who have seen State of Play know that it's a great film for many reasons, but one of them is because Kevin Macdonald's direction is top notch and it adds a lot to the experience. So therefore I'm naturally interested in following him and his projects, since this isn't his first great film (he also directed The Last King of Scotland). Variety announced today that Macdonald will develop and direct an adaptation of Isaac Asimov's 1955 novel "The End of Eternity". But that's not his very next project. He's also set to direct a project called Eagle of the Ninth, a second-century Roman military drama for Focus Features. Eagle of the Ninth is based on a novel of the same name written by Rosemary Sutcliff. The adaptation was written by Jeremy Brock (Mrs Brown, Charlotte Gray, The Last King of Scotland, Brideshead Revisited). It sounds pretty

(more)

Alex Billington

Permalink | Report a problem

---

Kevin Macdonald Travels to The End Of Eternity -- Will attempt to make an Asimov adaptation that doesn't suck

22 April 2009 | From Collider.com | See recent Collider.com news

Written by Matt Goldberg There have certainly been some bad choices when it comes to adapting a science-fiction genius like Isaac Asimov. Alex Proyas couldn't succeed with "I, Robot" (and he can blame Fox all he wants but I saw "Knowing" and it didn't convert me) and I dread what Roland Emmerich may do with the "Foundation" trilogy. But what if there's a director out there who has done great work but seems a complete 180 from the material? That seems to be where New Regency is going in asking director Kevin Macdonald ("State of Play", "The Last King of Scotland") to develop and direct Asimov's "The End of Eternity". I think Macdonald is great but his style is definitely rooted in reality and while all great science fiction never leaves reality, a story about a ruling class whose members can manipulate time and alter ...

Permalink | Report a problem

---

Machine Ethics

10 April 2009 7:00 AM, PDT | From Fast Company | See recent Fast Company news

The conclusion of the Battlestar Galactica television series a couple of weeks ago left viewers with a decidedly mixed message: a superficial gloss of "ooh, the scary robots are coming!", coupled with a more subtle--and, for me, more important--story about the implications of how we treat that which we create.

You don't have to be a science fiction aficionado to appreciate the importance of the latter narrative. All you need to do is look at this past week's headlines: "Adam," a robot scientist, making discoveries about genetics; "CB2" ("Child robot with Biomimetic Body") learning to recognize facial expressions and developing social skills; and battlefield robots taking on an increasingly critical role in American military operations. Autonomous and semi-autonomous systems are becoming extraordinarily complex, and our relationship with them differs significantly from how we use other technologies. How we think about them needs to catch up with that.

We've all heard

(more)

Jamais Cascio

Permalink | Report a problem

---

2009 | 2008 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003

1-20 of 48 articles from 2009   « Prev | Next »

---